Wanting to TTC but have a back injury and chronic pain.

Hi Ladies,

I suffered a back injury a couple of years back which led to surgery and have remained on pain medication ever since. I work full time and I have reduced my medications as much as possible but fear I may never be able to be completely off everything. My husband and I were planning on starting a family prior to my accident in 2010... and then that plan went on hold, awaiting recovery and to be medication free. I'm now almost 30, and the doctors say this pain will be for life...

I just don't know what I can do. I spoke to my GP who said I can't take any medication while pregnant. He was not very understanding of my position. I completely understand the medication free philosophy as I want a wonderfully healthy and happy baby. However if I will never be pain free, will I never be able to conceive?

I am sure that other people here have had chronic conditions and I would really love to here your stories, experiences and thoughts.

Maybe a new gp but have you considered looking into alternate forms of pain relief. Physio, acupuncture etc

I have different chronic problems that require very strong pain relief but I gave them away as soon as I knew I was pregnant. It hasn't been easy and some days I can barely move but then end reward (in 2 weeks time) will be soooo worth it.
Best of luck on your journey - I hope someone else has some more advice for you. You will find lots of support here if needed

The Following User Says Thank You to nelle7250 For This Useful Post:

Maybe a new gp but have you considered looking into alternate forms of pain relief. Physio, acupuncture etc

I have different chronic problems that require very strong pain relief but I gave them away as soon as I knew I was pregnant. It hasn't been easy and some days I can barely move but then end reward (in 2 weeks time) will be soooo worth it.
Best of luck on your journey - I hope someone else has some more advice for you. You will find lots of support here if needed

Thanks Nelle, yes I have been trying many different types of alternative therapies and have had some success lately which is promising but I was just really disheartened by my GP's reaction, especially given the fact that the medication I am on is mild compared to previously.

I just thought - there must be people out there in worse physical situations then I am and surely they have been through this...

Thanks for your thoughts and Congratulations and good luck for the coming weeks!

I don't know what pain med's you are on, but panadol, panadeine and panadeine forte are ok in pregnancy. Anti-inflammatories are not. Unfortunately for me all I can tolerate is panadol and anti-inflammatories. I can't tolerate codeine, tramal and other stronger pain med's. I had chronic back pain before getting pregnant and I was scared that pregnancy would make it worse, but ironically it made it better, especially in the 2nd pregnancy. I was doing Pilates once a week with a special 'rehab' physio throughout the 2nd pregnancy (starting before hand) and I think that helped. But, also as the baby gets bigger it's sort of like traction for the lower back and it can actually make some back pain better! But, in my 1st pregnancy and to a lesser extent in my 2nd pregnancy I did have lots of other aches & pains related to pregnancy including pelvic instability which limited my ability to walk.

I'd say talk to another GP. Find a physio that specialises in dealing with pregnant women (yes, you're not pregnant now, but the physio can advise you on how best to prepare physically and what to do when you are pregnant). Make sure your weight is as good as you can get it. And finally, prepare for taking off more than the average amount of time during your pregnancy. I'd say that if you have chronic, bad, back pain you won't be still working with ease at 36 weeks. I stopped at 31 weeks in my 1st pregnancy and physically I was seriously struggling from 28 weeks. 2nd time around I was working part-time and stopped just before 34 weeks, but really should have stopped at 30 weeks.

The Following User Says Thank You to mim1 For This Useful Post:

You could try chiropractic care and can have that while pregnant i started going last year and since i have been i feel so much better i think at first i went once a week for a couple of months then now i go once a month or whenever it starts playing up i use to be taking alot of pain relief a week and now i hardly take anything as once i get my adjustment i feel great

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